Arson suspected in Texas wildfires

Many of the wildfires that plagued Texas during the first half of January 2006 may have been started intentionally, according to the Texas Forest Service. Some 70 wildfires in Texas are thought to have been started by arsonists and at least one suspect, an 18-year-old, was arrested in connection with two arson fires in Bowie County.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry directed the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Depart-ment, the State Fire Marshal’s office of the Texas Department of Insurance and the Texas Forest Service to work with local authorities to investigate suspected arson.

On Jan. 6, 35 new fires ignited, destroying five homes and burning more than 2,400 acres. 153 people were evacuated and 242 homes saved. In total, since Dec. 26, 2005, 269 fires have destroyed 244 homes and 248,370 acres of land in the state, the governor’s office said. 4,632 Texans have been evacuated and 502 homes have been saved.

TDI reported that Randal Kight was arrested in connection with a series of wildfires that have plagued the town of Maud, southwest of Texarkana. Another suspect, a juvenile, is also believed to have been involved.

Investigators with the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Texas Forest Ser-vice believe the two teenagers may be responsible for as many as eight separate fires. The suspects had reportedly boasted to friends about setting the dangerous fires. State Fire Marshal Paul Maldo-nado said the fires destroyed dozens of acres and threatened the lives of residents and emergency responders.

Kight was charged with two counts of arson, a second-degree felony. If convicted, he could receive up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.